July 12th-18th, 2009 Tubbercurry, Co. Sligo
www.sssschool.org

Situated at the foot of the Ox Mountains in the heart of South Sligo and surrounded by pockets of traditional music going back generations, Tubbercurry is the perfect location for this annual summer school where participants have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the music, song and dance of South Sligo and beyond over six days of tuition, concerts and recitals, céilís, lectures and workshops, all featuring tutors, lecturers, musicians and céilí bands of the highest calibre. Think of tune titles such as ‘The Killavil Jig’, ‘The Mountain Road’, ‘The Moving Bogs of Powelsboro’ or ‘The Chaffpool Post’, all places in and around Tubbercurry or again of tunes like ‘Jackie Coleman’s’, ‘Fred Finn’s Reel’, ‘Andy McGann’s’ and ‘Jim Donoghue’s’, just a few of the great musicians who were native to the area, many of whom left a legacy of tunes of their own composition in their wake. This is just the tip of the iceberg of what is a deep, rich tradition and one which all those involved in the South Sligo Summer School set out to celebrate, breathe new life into and help preserve each year.

Over the years many former students of the summer school have gone on to teach at the school and a number of them have forged a successful playing career either individually or in groups. Evidence of the current healthy state of traditional music in South Sligo and the general North Connaught region was on show at the highest level at the All-Ireland Fleadh Ceoil in Tullamore last August where the two Sligo based céilí bands took first and second place in the Senior competition. This level of interest and success is due in no small way to the dedication of several music teachers who have been and continue to work tirelessly throughout the winter months on long, dark evenings as well as teaching music to the pupils in local schools in the whole South Sligo area during the school year. The South Sligo Summer School then steps in with a week long program of intensive tuition and immersion in the tradition where the young and not so young, locals and visitors alike, all mingle and share songs, tunes and dances, often into the early hours of the morning.

This year’s program is being put together and in the coming months further details will be made available.

For further information or to make enquiries about accommodation in Tubbercurry, please Tel:071-9120912, 071-918010 or 071-9185090.